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September 28, 2010

I received this from Gigi regarding the fabric used on her stitched piece:

The fabric is linen upholstery and is sold in Paris at a shop called Laik at the Marché st Pierre. The count is about what we call 12 fils and it is quite heavy and thick. It comes in awesome colours also.

I received the most wonderful photos yesterday! My friend Gigi Ries (http://gigir.canalblog.com/) has so honored me by using my designs and some of Nikki's in a fabulous stitched collage. I am sure that seeing it in person was thrilling! Thank you Gigi. . . . . you know how much this meant to me.

Look at the layout and planning that went into this? I can't image how many hours it took to complete.

Yesterday Ron and I took Nikki out to celebrate her birthday. We had lunch, did a little shopping and had a wonderful time together. Love you sweetie! (No, we look nothing alike. . . . . . .she looks like her daddy!) Here we are at lunch with Ron the picture-taker.

Here's Nikki in my favorite store. . . . . Pottery Barn. We went back here a second time so mom (me) could pick up a little something! I can always find something I love at Pottery Barn!

September 27, 2010

I used the random # generator to pick the winners. . . . . the only problem was that I kept getting confused when I was counting the entries! The numbers were checked twice so I know in the end we know we have the right ones.

There were 242 people who wished us a "Happy Anniversary" and we thank you! It has been a joy for me to design all of these patterns over the last seven years and I am looking forward to many more years to come. I couldn't have done it without my husband Ron who has been with me from the beginning.

Look for your name and match it to the time that the reply was posted. If you are a winner you need to email me at littlehouseneedleworks@msn.com with your mailing address and your choice of one of the patterns I listed in previous anniversary post.

The patterns are available as a download or by regular mail though there is a price difference between the two. The sales begin after the 26th but there is no harm in looking now! Details are on that link. And remember, once sales are complete for the year, that's it. . . . . . .the end is the end and there won't be another time to buy. I'm just saying that with emphasis because I know stitchers have been disappointed in past years.

I have seen the download file and it is simply wonderful! Yes, you have to own this! You will have so many little designs to stitch for a long time to come. And just think, you'll be helping UNICEF recipients around the world! Thank you GiGi and Sophie for all of your hard work.

September 17, 2010

After wondering if I should or shouldn't for over a year, I bought a new floor stand to hold scroll rods. There was nothing wrong with the old stand but it wasn't very scroll rod friendly and worked better with a hoop. So after the box arrived I spent time staining it and assembling. I am going to go back to it after I stitch this piece and stain it again as I really want it darker but I had to get moving on this design. It's made of hard maple so the stain isn't taking to it as well as I had hoped. But then again, no one said I had to stain it either. . . . .it comes sanded and ready to use.

The frame is from K's and it's called the Ultimate Stitching Station (referred to as the USS in the instructions). I have set it up beside my desk so I can move by desk chair back and forth as needed.

While I enjoy the freedom of stitching in hand, my work looks better in a frame and I love having my hands free. I need to get back to stitching. . . . . .something fun is waiting for me on the flip side of that chart!

September 14, 2010

The last pattern is here! My mom stitched Pumpkin Hollow Farms and she did a wonderful job. Is there anything more wonderful than seeing a lot of pumpkins all in one place? Well. . . . . maybe jumping into a pile of crunchy autumn leaves tops the list but as far as color . . . . .pumpkins win! The simple crackled frame from Crescent Colours really makes the colors pop! It looks very weathered like wood you would actually see at a farm like this.

I chose more muted shades for the pumpkins and flowers so that the black would look even darker. A different look for fall stitching indeed!

All of the newest patterns fly out the door into the UPS truck on Thursday!

I'll have the LHN web site updated no later than Friday with supply lists.

September 13, 2010

When I opened my email this morning there was a very special finish waiting for me. Leena from Finland had photographed a backpack she had received in a stitcher exchange from Ritva, also from Finland. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Ritva had taken two designs, City Stitcher-Country Stitcher and Willow Tree Inn and created the most special exchange gift! The fact that it is a backpack amazes me even more. I emailed Leena immediately and asked if I could feature it on my blog.

Thank you Ritva for using our designs on this fantastic exchange. You did a wonderful job and it will be an inspiration to many stitchers!

September 12, 2010

We have a new pattern shipping this week along with "Be Merry - Belle Pepper", our ornament and "Pumpkin Hollow Farms (no picture of that one yet). It's called "Exodus 20:16."

This is how I came to design the pattern. . . . . . . .many months ago I watched a TV series called "Who Do You Think You Are" by Ancestry.com (see blog post http://littlehouseneedleworks.blogspot.com/2010/03/genealogy.html). The story that featured Sarah Jessica Parker fascinated me because I had ancestors that lived in Salem during this time too that I knew nothing about. So I pulled out my genealogy and started the hunt for my ancestors and their stories. Much to my relief they were not "accusers". But it did get me to thinking how I might create a design around Salem and the year 1692. This is what I saw in my mind as I pictured the happenings in that year.

The colors are so autumnal in this design. . . . .I just love them (autumn is my favorite time of year). And the frame is just gorgeous and fits the design perfectly for the time period. It was made by Valley House Primitives (their blog is to the right). All of the details will be on our web site by the end of the week. They also made the frame for The Family Sampler.

There is one more preview to go and I think we'll see that one is just a few days! Have a great week everyone.

September 8, 2010

Beginning September 15th we are starting a "Family Sampler" SAL on the LHN/CCN Yahoo group.If you want to stitch the design and need incentive to get it finished, this is the place to be. If you don't have the chart or all of the supplies yet, that's ok.

Click the link on the right of my blog and head to the group if you aren't already a member. Be sure to reply to the letter you get when you apply!

September 6, 2010

It has been a busy weekend for our family. We started on Saturday with the Classic Car Show in downtown Tucson. The entire family went. I can't say everyone enjoyed it as much as Ron and I did but we love older cars and really had a wonderful time visiting with the car owners.

Then yesterday we had a birthday celebration for our daughter-in-law here at our house. Dinner was followed by playing "OldMaid", "Sorry" and the 80's Disney version of "Trivial Pursuit". Good times!

September 4, 2010

Gracie has a lot of friends and these two, Sparks and Tyson are a few. Aren't the three of them cute together? Every day of the week the neighborhood pups gather at the park for rough and tumble and general good times. Last night Gracie hung out with another Gracie, a rescue Greyhound who was as sweet as could be. Greyhounds are so soft!

Our big girl is 41 weeks old now and you can see, no longer resembles a puppy except that her feathers are just getting started.

September 1, 2010

Remember the three LHN full sized designs called Two Red, Two White and Two Blue Houses?? This ornament is modeled after them with two saltbox houses facing one another. It is so peaceful and serene hence the name "All is Calm". Those words also come from the Christmas carol, "Silent Night".

So didn't Vonna finish this beautifully? She and I decided to do something a little different with this ornament and finish it larger so you could see how it can be used to hang on a peg or knob. I love it! It already has a place reserved on a drawer pull on my china cabinet. The model was stitched on 30 count fabric but if you choose 32 or smaller the ornament gets smaller too. I simply love the red check and the country feel of this finish.

I did bonus this pack with an extra smaller chart that didn't get stitched but it is the same coloring as this one. It's a design with one saltbox house and the words "Bless our Home" and a tree beside it.

On another note. . . . . . .I know Vonna is very busy finishing this fall and she does have a deadline for submissions so if you want her help, get your ornaments to her as fast as you can!